1st Meal on the moon

Is it not amazing and wonderful how good always triumphs in the end and God is always in control. The truth always prevails no matter how hard the world tries to keep it hidden.

On Sunday July 20, 1969 the first people landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were in the lunar lander which touched down at 3:17 Eastern Standard Time.
Buzz Aldrin had with him the Reserved Sacrament. He radioed: " Houston ,this is Eagle. This is the LM pilot speaking. I would like to request a few moments of silence. I would like to invite each person listening in, whoever or wherever he may be, to contemplate for a moment the events of the last few hours, and to give thanks in his own individual way."

Later he wrote: "In the radio blackout, I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup.

Then I read the Scripture, 'I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.' I had intended to read my communion passage back to earth, but at the last minute Deke Slayton had requested that I not do this. NASA was already embroiled in a legal battle with Madelyn Murray O'Hare, the celebrated opponent of religion, over the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis while orbiting the moon at Christmas. I agreed reluctantly.

Eagle's metal body creaked. I
ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility . It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements."

NASA kept this secret for two decades. The memoirs of Buzz Aldrin and the Tom Hanks's Emmy- winning HBO mini-series, From the Earth to the Moon (1998), made people aware of this act of Christian worship 235,000 miles from Earth.

The Invisible Tattoo

"The Invisible Tattoo"
By Bob Perks

I have no idea where I found this, but
as soon as I did I felt compelled to
research it.

"The Invisible Tattoo."

How could one have a tattoo yet,
no one can see it?

It's simple. Invisible ink.

Well, not exactly invisible. They
use glow in the dark ink only seen under
a black light.

I know that many of you will be tempted
to send me biblical references to such
marks as being against the will of God.

I appreciate and understand that.

I may then shock a few people when I tell you
that I have tattoos. Two of them. One heart
on my right shoulder that says "Love" and
one fancy lettering on my left shoulder that
says "Hope."

I also have invisible ones. So, do you.

These are the marks in my life that you
would not be aware of unless you knew me
personally.

I also have marks in the great book of things
I did and said that God was not pleased about.

Some of you may have marks of insecurity
that would go undetected by others unless
they had seen you under pressure.

Many of you carry marks of the past, perhaps
from abuse by others or even by self induced
addictions.

Invisible tattoos.

Then there are those who have physical
challenges others cannot see.

Have you ever seen someone park in a handicap
spot and questioned what right they had to it?

Sure there are some who shamefully take advantage
of it and know they have no right. But, there
are millions who suffer from chronic pain
and neuro-muscular diseases in early stages.

If you saw them you might not be aware that,
although they look perfectly fine to you, most

of their life their disease keeps them from

functioning well in everyday tasks. Their

invisible tattoo is pain.

You can't see it, but it's there.

Why then are we so skeptical? Why do we first
choose to criticize, doubt, and reject others
who are different then ourselves?

You may argue that your life is such that you
can clearly declare you have no "invisible tattoos."

Under the black light you may discover that
"Denial" is yours.

I believe if I keep my mind and my heart open
I can benefit from every person who crosses
my path. By shining the light of love I will
see the markings of goodness in them.

Remember, too, everyone has invisible gifts

to offer the world. Those are often shadowed my
insecurity and doubt.

By shining the light of mistrust and skepticism,
one only reveals to the world their own markings
of prejudice and fear of the unknown.

Don't judge me for what you see, love me for
who I am.

"I wish you enough!"

J

Bob

I encourage you to share my stories but
I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
stories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com
and submit your email address.

"I Wish You enough!"
© 2001 Bob Perks

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear
much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

Four Boyfriends - Profound and Not What You Think

Four Boyfriends

THIS TURNED OUT TO BE SO DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO
BE......IT IS A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL MESSAGE! ENJOY.. Be Sure To Read It To
The End.....

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and
treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very muc h and was always showing him off
to neighboring kingdoms.
However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always
kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem,
she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult
times.

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great
contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not
love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took
notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of
her luxurious life and wondered, 'I now hav e four boyfriends with me, but
when I die, will I be all alone?'

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you the most, endowed you
with the finest clothing and showered great care over you.. Now that I'm
dying, will you follow me and keep me company?
'No way!', replied the fourth Boyfriend, and he walked away without another
word.
His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved you all my life. Now
that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the
third boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone
else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help
and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep
me company?'
'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the second Boyfriend.
'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer
struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where
you go.'
The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend..
He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.
Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you
when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives................

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you
lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die,
it will all go to others..

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends... No matter how much they
have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the
grave..

And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected in pursuit of
wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow you where ever you
go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you
that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout
Eternity.

Baby Snakes

I forgot to tell you about Zinger's encounter yesterday morning. I walked into the dining room and she was playing with something; I thought it might be a cricket. I look and in my still-sleepy state, I think "That's a really long worm." I looked again and it was a baby snake!! Ewwwww!!!! I have no idea how it got into the house but ewwwww!!! Zinger was having a grand old time.

Then I got to work and there was a baby rabbit and a frog in the building!! It seemed to be wildlife day yesterday lol.

Monthly Food Cycles

Dollar Stretcher Guest Bloggers

SOURCE: http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/dollar_stretcher_guest_bloggers/archive/2009/09/10/monthly-food-cycles.aspx


Dedicated to bringing you some of the best information to help you survive tough economic times
Monthly Food Cycles

by Michelle in Rolling Meadows, IL

I attended a class that discussed the monthly food cycles that grocery stores rotate through, and I decided, "There's no way I'm going to remember all this stuff." So one lazy weekend, I printed all the information on address labels, and put them on the appropriate month in my calendar. The following are the items I posted to my calendar:

January - Football food: chili,chips and 2 liters of pop

February - Valentine's Day: candy and chocolate (which I freeze and use in future baking recipes)
March - Frozen foods

April - Spring cleaning: cleansers and paper products

May - Summer BBQ prep: condiments and meats

June - Beat the heat: ice cream

July - Summertime: sodas, more condiments, hamburger patties and buns

August - Breakfast: frozen waffles, cereal and juices

September - Back to school: lunchbox snacks, drink boxes, packaged lunch meats and canned soup (I don't have kids, but I use this info to pack my lunch for work.)

October - Frozen foods and baking products (in preparation of the holidays)

November - Foods to warm you: hot cocoa, coffee, tea, canned soups and foods and Thanksgiving staples

December - Holiday parties: party platter foods, cold cuts, sour cream, dips, chips, crackers, ham, stuffing, potato mixes, butter, pie fillings, pie crusts and soups

Now I don't have to remember when is a good time to shop for sales on particular products. And, if I have coupons, I can hang onto them in anticipation of these monthly sales!

It's A Powwow

Hi friends, Today was the 2009 Intertribal Powwow, held at Fort Omaha on the campus of my college. The weather was absolutely gorgeous as the drum circle began playing, chanting, and the dancers entered the arena. The explosion of color was amazing.

Treasures and Other Muses

Hi friends,

It's been a busy week; my first week of working my full schedule again. I am still lacking all of my energy but we're slowllllyyy getting there.

Today I visited with some friends and then went "junking" but to me it's treasure hunting. I found some winter boots (leather) for under $10, some black dress shoes, 3 crocheted baby blankets that I'm going to donate to the shawl ministry, a wall plaque, a flower pot (which reads "With the whisper of its petals, the depth of its roots, and the fullness of its bloom, love has touched our souls") and a metal wall hanging for my kitchen (it reads "Life is messy - wear your apron".

Views From the Wanderings

Hi friends,

It's been busy in this little corner of the world with the in-laws and recuperation. I went back to work last week and that was trying.

Here are a few pictures from the wanderings:

The lady with the veggie hat is the coordinator of the City Sprouts program, the community gardening group here in Omaha. The hat has amused me all summer and I would have been remiss not to capture it!

The nature pictures are from N.P. Dodge Park where we walked Sunday amongst the skeeters from hell!!

The Mardi Gras robe, washboard, and aligator statue were found at Jazz - A Louisiana Kitchen in Omaha's Old Market. I'd never been there but the food is out of this world if you like spicy food.

And finally, sunsets from my little corner of the world and the newest addition to my gardens, Pokey the Turtle. Zinger was soooooo funny when I brought the turtle home. She kept sneaking up on it until she was satisfied that it wasn't alive lol!

Why Healthcare Change Is Necessary

Yes, I have been very vocal about not liking the means in which the healthcare reform has been tossed about. Nonetheless, it is needed. I will post my experience here to illustrate why.

On August 18th, 2009 I went to Midwest Minor with the pain. They gave me a pregnancy test and said that since there was no sign of infection, etc that I might have a hernia or appendicitis and told me that if I began vomiting to go to the ER.

On the 19th, I woke up vomiting and the pain was worse. Immanuel did a cat scan which showed an ovarian cyst. I was sent home with darvocet.

I worked the 20th despite the pain.

I went to my primary care dr on the 21st for a previously scheduled physical. She could feel the cyst but recommended the wait and see approach for a month before draining the cyst. Prescribed pain meds.

August 22nd - I wake up and can't stand up out of bed b/c the pain is so bad. Go to Immanuel ER. The Er dr. comes in, I give the history of the symptoms and treatment up to that point and he tells me, "The emergency room shouldn't be the first place you go for care." I said "I have given you this information 4 times now and it should be perfectly obvious that I didn't come here first. There is a reason why the pain is getting worse. It's YOUR job to find out why and if you send me home with pain meds and I end up in the ER again anywhere in this town, I will personally see to it that both you and this hospital are sued to within an inch of your financial lives. Your hospital motto is "This is your healthcare. Right now I think my healthcare sucks, so you'd best get a gynecologist in here and find out what's going on."

The gyn comes in and orders the ultrasound which is when they found the endometriosis and said, "I can call in a team and do your surgery today or you can go home and we can do this on Monday." I was like, "I'm already here. Let's get this done."

Things to Keep in Mind When A Friend or Loved One Is In Chronic Pain

Hi friends,

I received this e-mail from a good friend of mine who lives with chronic pain. She wanted people to understand things from her point of view. I thought it was so enlightening that I asked her permission to share it with all of you. I have included her commentary as well. The original author of the article on chronic pain is unknown, so if you know who should receive the credit for this work, please let me know so that I can provide proper attribution.

Hi all,

Someone sent this to me today and although I think the "spoon theory" is the best description of what I, as well as many of you, go through on a daily basis, I think this is pretty good too. Feel free to pass it on to anyone you know that may benefit from it and maybe understand you better. Plus send it to others like us who need something to help others understand or 'get it'. For everyone else, I hope this helps you to see me better.

Hope this finds all of you well and as pain free as possible. You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers daily!

Here is what she sent me:

LETTER TO PEOPLE WITHOUT CHRONIC PAIN:

Having chronic pain means many things change, and a lot of them are invisible. Unlike having cancer or being hurt in an accident, most people do not understand even a little about chronic pain and its effects, and of those that think they know, many are actually misinformed.

In the spirit of informing those who wish to understand ...
... These are the things that I would like you to understand about me before you judge me...

Please understand that being sick doesn't mean I'm not still a human being. I have to spend most of my day in considerable pain and exhaustion, and if you visit, sometimes I probably don't seem like much fun to be with, but I'm still me-- stuck inside this body. I still worry about school, my family, my friends, and most of the time - I'd still like to hear you talk about yours, too.

Please understand the difference between "happy" and "healthy". When you've got the flu, you probably feel miserable with it, but I've been sick for years. I can't be miserable all the time. In fact, I work hard at not being miserable. So, if you're talking to me and I sound happy, it means I'm happy. That's all. It doesn't mean that I'm not in a lot of pain, or extremely tired, or that I'm getting better, or any of those things. Please don't say, "Oh, you're sounding better!" or "But you look so healthy!¨ I am merely coping. I am sounding happy and trying to look normal. If you want to comment on that, you're welcome.

Please understand that being able to stand up for ten minutes doesn't necessarily mean that I can stand up for twenty minutes, or an hour. Just because I managed to stand up for thirty minutes yesterday doesn't mean that I can do the same today. With a lot of diseases you're either paralyzed, or you can move. With this one, it gets more confusing everyday. It can be like a yo-yo. I never know from day to day, how I am going to feel when I wake up. In most cases, I never know from minute to minute. That is one of the hardest and most frustrating components of chronic pain.

Please repeat the above paragraph substituting, "sitting", "walking", "thinking", "concentrating", "being sociable" and so on ... it applies to everything. That's what chronic pain does to you.

Please understand that chronic pain is variable. It's quite possible (for many, it's common) that one day I am able to walk to the park and back, while the next day I'll have trouble getting to the next room. Please don't attack me when I'm ill by saying, "But you did it before!" or Oh, come on, I know you can do this!" If you want me to do something, then ask if I can. In a similar vein, I may need to cancel a previous commitment at the last minute. If this happens, please do not take it personally. If you are able, please try to always remember how very lucky you are--to be physically able to do all of the things that you can do.

Please understand that "getting out and doing things" does not make me feel better, and can often make me seriously worse. You don't know what I go through or how I suffer in my own private time. Telling me that I need to exercise, or do some things to get my mind off of it¨ may frustrate me to tears, and is not correct if I was capable of doing some things any or all of the time, don't you know that I would? I am working with my doctor and I am doing what I am supposed to do. Another statement that hurts is, "You just need to push yourself more, try harder..." Obviously, chronic pain can deal with the whole body, or be localized to specific areas. Sometimes participating in a single activity for a short or a long period of time can cause more damage and physical pain than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the recovery time, which can be intense. You can't always read it on my face or in my body language. Also, chronic pain may cause secondary depression (wouldn't you get depressed and down if you were hurting constantly for months or years?), but it is not created by depression.

Please understand that if I say I have to sit down/lie down/stay in bed/or take these pills now, that probably means that I do have to do it right now - it can't be put off or forgotten just because I'm somewhere, or am right in the middle of doing something. Chronic pain does not forgive, nor does it wait for anyone.

If you want to suggest a cure to me, please don't. It's not because I don't appreciate the thought, and it's not because I don't want to get well. Lord knows that isn't true. In all likelihood, if you've heard of it or tried it, so have I. In some cases, I have been made sicker, not better. This can involve side effects or allergic reactions. It also includes failure, which in and of itself can make me feel even lower. If there were something that cured, or even helped people with my form of chronic pain, then we'd know about it. There is worldwide networking (both on and off the Internet) between people with chronic pain. If something worked, we would KNOW. It's definitely not for lack of trying. If, after reading this, you still feel the need to suggest a cure, then so be it. I may take what you said and discuss it with my doctor.

If I seem touchy, it's probably because I am. It's not how I try to be. As a matter of fact, I try very hard to be normal. I hope you will try to understand. I have been, and am still, going through a lot. Chronic pain is hard for you to understand unless you have had it. It wreaks havoc on the body and the mind. It is exhausting and exasperating. Almost all the time, I know that I am doing my best to cope with this, and live my life to the best of my ability. I ask you to bear with me, and accept me as I am. I know that you cannot literally understand my situation unless you have been in my shoes, but as much as is possible, I am asking you to try to be understanding in general.

In many ways I depend on you - people who are not sick. I need you to visit me when I am too sick to go out... Sometimes I need you help me with the shopping, cooking or cleaning. I may need you to take me to the doctor, or to the store. You are my link to the normalcy of life. You can help me to keep in touch with the parts of life that I miss and fully intend to undertake again, just as soon as I am able.

I know that I have asked a lot from you, and I do thank you for listening. It really does mean a lot.


TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN PAIN


1. People with chronic pain seem unreliable (we can't count on ourselves). When feeling better we promise things (and mean it); when in serious pain, we may not even show up.

2. An action or situation may result in pain several hours later, or even the next day. Delayed pain is confusing to people who have never experienced it.

3. Pain can inhibit listening and other communication skills. It's like having someone shouting at you, or trying to talk with a fire alarm going off in the room. The effect of pain on the mind can seem like attention deficit disorder. So you may have to repeat a request, or write things down for a person with chronic pain. Don't take it personally, or think that they are stupid.

4. The senses can overload while in pain. For example, noises that wouldn't normally bother you, seem too much.

5. Patience may seem short. We can't wait in a long line; can't wait for a long drawn out conversation.

6. Don't always ask "how are you" unless you are genuinely prepared to listen it just points attention inward.

7. Pain can sometimes trigger psychological disabilities (usually very temporary). When in pain, a small task, like hanging out the laundry, can seem like a huge wall, too high to climb over. An hour later the same job may be quite OK. It is sane to be depressed occasionally when you hurt.

8. Pain can come on fairly quickly and unexpectedly. Pain sometimes abates after a short rest. Chronic pain people appear to arrive and fade unpredictably to others.

9. Knowing where a refuge is, such as a couch, a bed, or comfortable chair, is as important as knowing where a bathroom is. A visit is much more enjoyable if the chronic pain person knows there is a refuge if needed. A person with chronic pain may not want to go anywhere that has no refuge (e.g.no place to sit or lie down).

10. Small acts of kindness can seem like huge acts of mercy to a person in pain. Your offer of a pillow or a cup of tea can be a really big thing to a person who is feeling temporarily helpless in the face of encroaching pain.

11. Not all pain is easy to locate or describe. Sometimes there is a body-wide feeling of discomfort, with hard to describe pains in the entire back, or in both legs, but not in one particular spot you can point to. Our vocabulary for pain is very limited, compared to the body's ability to feel varieties of discomfort.

12. We may not have a good "reason" for the pain. Medical science is still limited in its understanding of pain. Many people have pain that is not yet classified by doctors as an officially recognized "disease". That does not reduce the pain, - it only reduces our ability to give it a label, and to have you believe us.

LOVE YOU~

This also reminds me of a quote the my bestest friend has (or had at one time) in her signature line: "Never judge anyone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away and have their shoes." or something to that extent! Everytime I think about it, it truly makes me smile. Can't remember who the author was or if I have it right, but that is the jist of it anyways. Hope it made you smile too!

On a side note: I think one of the bazillion things that endear me to my bestest friend is the fact that she doesn't have fibro, however, she has done soooo much research on it that I am pretty sure she knows more about it than I do. LOL!! She always sends me things that she sees about it etc. She also seems to have a keen sense when I am the lowest on 'spoons' and seems to call or send an email at the exact time I need it the most. I have never had someone who isn't afflicted with fibro (or some other chronic pain illness) take such an interest in what I deal with on a daily basis. She is a godsend. I can't imagine my life without her and am so glad she is in my corner to offer extra spoons and support in a way that I have never had before. I pray that each of you have someone like this in your corner. It was a true miracle that god brought the two of us together. Even though we have never met and many miles seperate us, we have a bond stronger than any face to face friendship I have ever had. So, I take this time to say "Thank you sweetie!! I LOVE you!!"

Gentle Hugs,
Robin

Moonshell Storytelling Festival

Good evening friends,

Today I headed to Mahoney State Park in Ashland for the Moonshell Storytelling Festival. The festival is free with park admission which is an incredible deal for the quality of the storytelling. The tellers were Pippa White, Patrick Ball (Celtic harp and stories), Linda Gorham (folk stories and singing-she was very, very funny!), and Charlie Chin, who told stories of Chinese culture.

You can see clips of linda at www.lindagorham.com
You can hear some of Patrick Ball's work at www.patrickball.com

For those of us who never had anyone read us bedtime stories, the storytelling tradition holds an incredible appeal. Likewise, for those of us who engage in public speaking the voice and body as instruments are captivating.

The park is absolutely visually stunning, with trees, flowers, waterways, little bridges tucked here and there, horseback riding, cabins, paddle boats - you could spend an entire weekend and not do the same thing twice! We climbed the observation tower and it was very cool to view the Platte River from there and imagine Lewis and Clark canoeing that river so long ago.

Here are some pictures of the day. Come and take a virtual trip with me.

Meet Me in the Stairwell

I remember so well the beauty of that September day 8 years ago. I had just returned from a walk and entered the house to the phone ringing and my neighbor telling me that a plane had hit the trade center in NY. I remembered thinking, "Pilot error. . .but how do you miss a building that tall?" While I was processing that thought, the news came that a second plane had hit the other tower. The terror overtook me and I stared at the TV, scared as the rest of America while it all unfolded. Living in Omaha NE, close to Bellevue and Offutt AFB, the home of the Strategic Air Command, I wondered if my town would be the next target.

As the images played on over the TV, the stereo played Anne Murray's "A Little Good News" while I rocked and cried in a catatonic state for hours. When the news came that the President was flying into Offutt for a briefing before returning to DC to address the nation, I finally felt safe. I held my family and friends close and went to church and prayed with my community; it felt less helpless.


'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when
you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it
is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home - only
believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He
heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them that their
faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew
every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take
my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You
may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were
there in that explosive moment in time, would you have
reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey
for you . But someday your journey will end. And I
will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may
be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

What Is Your Superhero Talent???

Good morning friends,

I had this thought yesterday while I was watching the parade and the Incredibles came strutting up the street. For the unfamiliar, the Incredibles are a typical family with superhero talents.

Have you ever thought about the unique talents you have? Perhaps it's crafts, gardening, writing, dancing, caring for others, whatever. How would you define your special talents????

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Back to Work I Go

Good morning friends,

It's back to work for me today and it will be interesting to see how that goes. . .I'll be glad to get back though. Then after dinner tonight it is a quick run through of the guest room b/c my mil will be here tomorrow night. I suspect I will be doubly exhausted!!!!

What are you up to today?

Farmer's Market Finds

Isn't that a beautiful bowl of veggies? Everything but the zucchini is from the Farmer's Market.

4 hour nap, yes I WAS tired. . .

A Dinner To Remember

Good morning friends,

I thought you might like to see a picture of me "gussied up" for dinner last night. What a dinner it was! We had dinner at a local steakhouse and winery. It is set up to look like a Spanish mission and the waiters and waitresses are dressed as monks or nuns. We've been to this restaurant before and the ambiance lends itself to a romantic dinner.

We had chateaubriand (steak-ohhhhhhh so tender) for 2 which included a mini loaf of bread, salad bar, roasted carrots, asparagus, new potatoes, pearl onions and mushrooms. We had a couple of glasses of wine each and the hubbers had NY cheesecake and I had cherries jubilee. I ate my bread without butter, had oil and vinegar dressing and lots of the veggies. We still brought food home.

I got on the scale and stayed the same but there is a long walk planned for the afternoon to burn some more calories so it stays that way.

Today we're heading to the Farmer's Market for some salad makings, then working to get the guest room in shape for the in-law's visit this week.

What are the rest of you up to???

Walking It Off

Good morning friends and happy Labor Day Weekend!

It is going to be a gorgeous day here; low 80s, sunny, low humidity. A perfect day to get outside and walk which is what we're doing after breakfast. We have a trail close to our house that goes by the riverfront (Missouri River) so we'll be walking that this morning.

I've been eating the Mediterranean way since I got out of the hospital and I have to say my body loves it and is giving up the lbs pretty nicely. I'm measuring portions, drinking tons of water, getting lots of plant nutrition and generally feeling more satisfied with my food.

Tonight we're going out for the romantic anniversary dinner, since our anniversary is next Wednesday but my in-laws will be here. I'm going to go for the smallest steak I can and some roasted veggies, with a salad. I might splurge a bit on a dessert if there is something interesting.

What are the rest of you up to??